Bicycle-saddle



Patented Mar. l4, I899.

W. MEISSELBACH, .IR. 8|. A. F. MEISSELBACH.

BICYCLE SADDLE. (Application filed Apr. 15, 1898.)

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No. 620,946. Patented Mar. I4, I899. W. MEISSELBACH, IR. &. A. F. MEISSELBACH.

BICYCLE SADDLE.

(Application filed Apr. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 620,946. Patented Mar. 14, I899. w. MEISSE-LBACH, In. 9 A. F. MEISSELBACH. BICYCLE SADDLE.

(Application filed Apr. 15, 1898.) (No Modal.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

fesa: w r/ ana UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MEISSELBACH, JR., AND AUGUST F. MEISSFLBAOEL'OF NEWARK, NEW JER$EY.

BICYCLE-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 620,946, dated March 14, 1899.

Application filed April 15 1898. Serial No. 677,720. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM MEISSEL- BAOH, J r. and AUGUST F. MEIssELBAo citizens of the United States, residing at Newark,

county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Saddles, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

The objects of this invention are to furnish an improved seat for a bicycle-saddle, so that the cushioned pads upon the frame-plate may not easily become hard by use, and to improve the construction of the pads themselves, the pommel of the saddle, the supporting-spring, and the clamp for holding the saddle to the seat-post.

In the construction shown in the drawings the frame-plate of the saddle is formed with a flush top and is flanged at the margin only for increasing its strength, and the pads are set directly upon the top of the plate and not sunk in its surface, as has been common heretofore. To increase the elasticity of the pads (which are stuffed with soft material) and maintain such elasticity, openings are shown in the top of the plate beneath the pads, and a lacing is stretched across such openings which thus forms a yielding foundation for each pad.

The pads are made with leather covers, and the covers are strengthened and secured to the frame-plate by metal bands or inlays riveted to the lower edge of the leather.

The front of the frame-plate is formed with a nozzle open in front and adapted to admit upon the under side a detachable pommel, and the saddle may thus be provided with a short pommel for ladies use, a long pommel for mens use, or with an adjustable pommel that maybe projected to any distance that is required by the rider.

the edges of the frame-plate, while the use of the hollow bead secures the spring-wire to the plate without any clamps or fastenings,which in other constructions are liable to get loose.

The clamp is especially constructed to sustain the spring-wires below the level of the seat-post bar, to which the clamp is secured, and the saddle is thus made much lower than is common. This enables the rider to use a bicycle having a higher frame or to adjust the seat through a wider range.

These improvements will be understood by reference to the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan of the saddle with a short pommel and one of the pads removed. Fig. 2 shows the under side of the saddle with the lacings removed and the pommel shown adjustabler Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the saddle across the widest part in Fig. 1, with one of the pads removed. Fig. 4 is an end View of one of the pads ready for attaching to the frame-plate. Fig. 5 shows the under side of the short pommel; Fig. 6, a longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 7, a plan of the pommel for mens saddles; Fig. 8, a plan of the adjustable pommel, and Fig. 9 an edge view of the pad-inlay. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are drawn twice the size of the previous figures. Fig. 10 is a'longitudinal vertical section upon the center line of the saddle; Fig. 11, a plan of the pommel-clamp, and Fig. 12

zle. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the pad with the stuffing removed and the ears which hold the felt in the pad turned in their operative position. Fig. 14 is a central cross-section of the seat-post clamp, and Fig. 15 is a similar view of the frame of the clamp. Fig. 16 is an edge view, and Fig. 17 a plan, of the blank for the outer strap of the seat-post. Fig. 18 is a plan, and Fig. 19 an edge view, of the blank for the inner strap.

- A designates the frame-plate of the saddle, which is represented as stamped of sheet metal with a flange at the margin only, the flange being bent downward and formed at the sides and rear of the plate into a hollow bead A to'receive the spring-wire. The bead furnishes a semicircular groove fitted closely to the diameter of the spring-wire, so as to hold the same in place without any fastening. The flange is made deeper toward the front to form a nozzle A (see Fig. 12) to admit the pommel B. The plate is formed, as shown in Fig. 2, with openings a, over which pads C are secured by means of tongues c inserted through holes 0 in the plate. The plate is also formed around the margin of the openings a with a series of holes cl to receive a lacing D, and the pad is shown in Fig. 3 as stuffed with felt, hair, or suitable elastic material C, which rests upon the lacing, as shown in that figure. The pads are made with leather covers, and the tongues care formed upon the lower edge of a metallic inlay or band E, which is secured within the lower edge of the leather cover by rivets e. The pads are of box form having the sides at an abrupt angle with the base, which rests upon the frame-plate, by which form the inner faces of the sides are approximately vertical, and the inlay is readily adapted to fit the same and to rest with its edge upon the frameplate.

Fig. 13 shows the cover of the pad inverted with the inlay secured to its lower edge and a part of the tongues shown single at the left side of the inlay and a part of them double at the upper side, as well as in Fig. 9, which shows an edge View of the inlay detached from the cover. Prongs e are also projected from the edge of the inlay, as shown in Fig. 9, to hold the felt or elastic stuifing in position while the pad is being attached to the frame-plate of the saddle, the prongs being bent inwardly to effect this object, as represented in Fig. 13, although the stuffing is intentionally omitted from such figure to eX- hibit theinlay clearly. The prongs thus bent to hold the stuffing in place are also indicated at e in Fig. 10, while one of the single tongues is shown at the left end of the pad 0 extended through the hole d in the plate and clenched upon its lower side. One of the double tongues next to the single tongue 0 is shown projected through the hole in the plate in readiness to clench, and another of the double tongues is represented farther to the right already clenched, the tongue being made double that its two parts may be bent in opposite directions to prevent its retraction from the plate.

11; will be observed in Fig. 10 that the frameplate is curved upwardly toward the nozzle A and also toward the rear edge of the plate, thus making the plate concave in the longitudinal cross-section shown in Fig. 10. The pads O are correspondingly hollowed upon the top side and are made thicker at the rear end than at the front. By making the pad lower at the front than at the rear it permits the limbs to reach the pedals without chafing against the edge of the pad, as is common Evhere the pad is made of too great height in ront.

The lower edge of the inlay E is set flush with the base of the padthat is, the lower edge of the cover C-and thus rests-upon the frame-plate when the pad is applied thereto, and as the inlay is firmly secured to such cover it supports the same strongly and holds it firmly in place when the inlay is attached to the plate. The inlay thus serves the double purpose of strengthening the base of the pad and of securing it to the frame-plate detachably, as the tongues 0 can be unbent to with draw them from the holes in the frame-plate if the pad requires removal. It is found in practice that it is not positively necessary to remove the pad to repair the stuffing of the same, as additional stuffing may be inserted between the strips of the lacing from the under sideof the plate to build up any part of the stuffing that needs elevation to render the saddle more comfortable for the rider.

The holes 0' and d are wholly covered by the pad when secured in position, as the leather cover lies outside the line of the holes, as is shown at the right side of Fig. 1, and the flush surface of the plate, with the pads supported thereon, forms a more ornamental structure than where the pads are sunk within recesses in the plate, as is sometimes practiced in constructing such saddles.

It has been common heretofore to make the frame plate or body of mens saddles with a longer pommel than ladies saddles, thus necessitating the manufacture of different plates for such saddles; but the present invention provides a means of using the same plate for both types of saddles, and thus reducing the cost of manufacture and increasing the facility for promptly furnishing a demand for either kind of saddle. This is effected by providing the frame-plate with a nozzle to receive diiferent pommels interchangeably, the nozzle, as shown in Fig. 12, being closed upon the top and sides, so as to conceal in great degree the joint between the two parts. Such concealment is especially promoted by making the nozzle of thin sheet metal, so that when the pommel is fitted therein its upper surface may lie nearly or substantially in the same plane as the top of the nozzle or frameplate and thus appear to be a mere continuation thereof. Such thin metal can be safely employed by forming the nozzle with downwardly-flanged sides to produce a box-like form of great lightness and strength, and such side fiangesare also strengthened at the lower edges by inwardly-bent ribs a, as shown in Fig. 12.

The nozzle shown in Fig. 1 is flared backwardly from the front end to join the sloping sides of the frame-plate, and the short pommel F for ladies use, which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, fits within the flared sides of the 1107. zle and is secured therein by a bolt f. The pommel is shown of hollow box form closed upon the top, the front end,and sides,but open upon the bottom, which adapts it for stamping from sheet metal, and has flaring side wings (marked to) and top plate, (marked w,) which are extended backwardly beyond the line of the bolt-hole to brace the pom mel firmly against the inner sides of the nozzle. The

box form gives great stiffness with very little and pressing it forwardly.

A longer pommel F is shown in Fig. 7 to adapt the saddle for mens use and is flared adjacent to the bolt similarly to the short pommel, so as to fit the interior of the nozzle closely, and thus be held from displacement. The bolt is preferably formed with countersunk head, as shown in Fig. 10, to avoid its projection above the plate, and the upper side of the pommel adjacent to the bolt is formed with a depression f to admit a part of such bolt-head, as the metal of the plate is in practice much thinner than the conical portion of the head and best supports the head if it is depressed or stamped to fit. the under side of the same. The bolt f is also utilized to hold the wire loop 9 at the front end of the seat-spring, as shown in Fig. 2, and where a flared nozzle is used a clampplate H (see Figs. 10 to 12) is fitted between the under side of the pommel and the spring and is extended lengthwise from the bolt sufficiently to reinforce the stiffness of the pommel materially. The clamp-plate is formed with a recess 72, which is extended forward from the bolt, and the wire loop 9 is extended forward to the end of such recess and aids also in stiifening the projecting portion of the pommel.

Figs. 2, 8, 10, and 12 show an adjustable pommel having parallel sides, and the nozzle of the frame-plate is made parallel for a short distance, as shown in Fig. 2, to fit and support the sides of such pommel. The pommel is formed with a slot f to admit the bolt f, and a clamp-plate H, having parallel sides, is fitted within the walls of the pommel to increase the bearing of the spring-loops g and of the nut upon the bolt. The clamp-plate H thus covers the slot f as shown in Fig. 2, but permits the pommel to be moved freely into the position indicated in full lines for an ordinary mans saddle or to be moved into the extremeinner and outer positions, (indicated in dotted lines,) which adaptit for a womans saddle or for aracing-saddle.

The base of the pommel is provided with wings to and top plate 10, projected some dis tance beyond the end of the slot, so as to brace the pommel firmly against the inner side of the nozzle when it is at its extreme projection and most needs such support. WVhen the adjustable pom melispushedinwardly,itbears for a considerable distance against the under side of the frame-plate, where it is curved upwardly toward the nozzle, and the pommel is preferably made with acorresponding curve on the top, so as to fit su'ch' curved portion throughout its entire range of movement. This curved form for the top of the pommel is advantageous, as it tends to lower thepoint of the pommel the more it is pushed forward, and thus prevents it from assuming an inconvenient or ungraceful position when extended.

The adjustable pommel is shown in Fig. 10 with parallel topvand bottom throughout the greater part of its length, so as to snugly fit the ribs a, upon the lower edges of the nozzle, which thus serve to firmly hold the parts together. In practice the metal of the frameplate is made quite thin and the junction of the nozzle and the pommel is scarcely noticeable.

The pad-openings a tend to weaken the sides of the frame-plate, and as the pads throw the load partly upon the edges of the plate we attach the spring-to the edges of the plate without any bolts or fastenings by making the spring of wire and forming the flange at the extreme sides and rear of-the fram e-plate with a hollow bead A, adapted to retain the spring in place when its forward end is locked by the bolt f.

. The seat-post is indicated by dotted lines J, and the post-clamp collectively by the letter I.

To extend the spring into the hollow bead A from the front and to increase the length of wire between the clamp I and the edges of the saddle, the two wires of the spring are curved downwardly from the bolt f to the clamp and ,after passing through the same are reflexed forwardly and laterally, as shown in Fig. 2, and then bent to fit within the hollow bead A from the extreme sides of the saddle toward the rear portion of the same. The spring-wires thus lie in three planes, the lowest curve in Fig. 10 being designated G, the refiexed portion G, and the backwardly extended ends which fit the hollow bead are marked G The wires are thus rendered elastic, while the edges of the frame-plate are supported in the most eifective manner.

We are aware that it is common to coil the springs at various points intermediate to their ends to increase the length and elasticity of the spring; but it will be noticed that we employ no coils in our construction, but secure a greater flexibility by the shape which we have designed than where the wire is disposed in relatively small circular coils.

The clamp is made of two sheet-metal straps fitted one inside of the other and having hooks projected from their sides in opposite directions to embrace, respectively, the upper and lower sides of the spring-wires G. The blanks for the straps are shown in Figs. 16 to 19, in-

clusive, the outer strap (shown in Figs. 16 and- 17) having a hole m in the center, with bars on at its opposite sides for connecting the eyes j, which engage the upper side of the seatpost. The hooks 7c are projected toward the eyes j. This blank is bent upon the lines 50m to bring the eyes parallel with one another, as shown in Fig. 10, where the whole clamp is designated, collectively, by the letter I. The inner strap is formed with eyes j, which are connected by a band a of suitable width to pass through the hole m when the strap is bent to its final shape, and is provided in the center with a clearance-hole n to admit a setscrew. Its hooks k project inwardly toward one another. The blank for the inner strap is bent upon the lines 00 00 to bring the eyes parallel, as shown in Fig. 10, and the hooks upon this strap are so arranged as to hold the eyes clear from the seat-post when the hooks upon the straps are engaged with the springwires G, as shown in Fig. 14. When thus adjusted upon the wires, the central part of the inner strap projects through the hole m, as shown in Fig. 14, which serves as a guide to center one strap within the other when applying them to the spring-wires. A nut L is fitted within the inner strap, and a set-screw Z is inserted through the hole a and the nut L to press upon the under side of the seatpost J. (Shown in Fig. 14.) The archp around the outer side of the eyes J (see Fig. 18) serves to resist the inward thrust of the hooks upon the inner strap, as these hooks are liable to be bent backwardly by the strain of the set-screw, and they are therefore connected with the sides of the eye by a curve 17. The eyes J upon the inner strap perform no function in relation to the seat-post, as they do not touch the same, but are employed to permit the use of sheet metal of moderate thickness in making the straps, which is effected by reinforcing the hooks upon the inner strap by their connection with the arch p. The backs of the hooks upon the outer strap are reinforced by the bars m. The hooks upon both the straps are arranged below the level of the eyes, as shown in Figs. 10 and 14:, to hold the saddle as close to the seat-post as is practicable. The depression of the hooks and wires below the post is clearly shown in Figs. 14 and 15, where Fig. 14 shows the inner side of the strap which supports the clamp-nut L and set-screw l, while Fig. 15 shows one-half of the strap which resists the clamping-pressure of the screw.

The essential feature of the clamp-straps is the provision of the eye j in each side of each strap, whereby the screw-strap is greatly strengthened with a very slight addition to its weight.

The frame-plate shown in the drawings is formed with what may be termed a flush top, as it has no panels or ridges raised upon its upper surface nor any recesses or grooves depressed in such surface,the only flanges employed to strengthen the construction being those at the margin of the plate, which form at the rear the hollow head A and at the front the sides of the nozzle A This construction renders the frame-plate exceedingly easy to manufacture; but we do not limit ourselves exclusively to the use of such a frame-plate leather to strengthen the same where it rests upon the frame-plate. While the inlay serves to strengthen the leather and to attach the pad to the frame-plate, it also performs an additional function in greatly stifiening the top of the frame-plate, as the inlay sets edgewise upon the plate and is attached securely thereto by the tongues 0 when extended through the holes dand bent into contact with the under side of the plate. Such additional strength enables the frame-plate with a flush top to sustain the load imposed upon it,while it avoids the necessity of paneling or otherwise stamping the frame-plate to increase its strength.

We are aware that pads have been attached to frame-plates of Various constructions; but we are not aware that any stuifed pad has been arranged over a laced opening in the frame-plate so that the stuffing and the lacing might cooperate together to secure the highest degree of permanent elasticityin the pad. The construction also affords the opportunity for the insertion of additional stuffing between the lacing-cords and of renewin g the elasticity when the cords have become loosened by the simple operation of tightening the same. The stuffing and the lacing are both liable to yield as the result of use, and this facility for restoring their elasticity is of great value.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed herein is 1. The means for providing a bicycle-saddle with a changeable nozzle substantially flush with the upper side of such saddle, consisting of the sheet-metal frame-plate having upon the front the downwardly-projected nozzle A open at the forward end, and the boxformed pommel fitted detachably within the nozzle and secured by the bolt f having a nut within the box of the pommel, and the pommel thus projecting from the forward end of the frame-plate with its upper side in substantially the same plane as the plate, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The means for providing a bicycle-saddle with a changeable nozzle substantially flush with the upper side of such saddle, consisting of the sheet-metal frame-plate having upon the front the downwardly-projected nozzle A open at the forward end and flared backwardly to the sides of the seat, as set forth, and the box-formed pommel fitted detachably within the nozzle and secured by the bolt f having nut within the boX of the pommel, and the inner end of the pommel having the flaring side wings to fitted against the flaring sides of the nozzle, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a bicycle-saddle, a sheet-metal frameplate provided upon the front end with the downwardly-flanged nozzle A having the inwardly-turned ribs a upon the edges of the downwardly-projecting flanges, in combination, with the downwardly-flanged pommel of parallel form fitted movably Within such nozzle in contact with said ribs, and having the slot f with the'bolt f fitted through the frameplate and such slot, the pommel thus projecting adjustably fromthe front of the nozzle, substantially as herein set forth.

4. In a bicycle-saddle,the combination,with the sheet-metal frame-plate having upon the front the downwardly-flanged nozzle A with the frame-plate curved upwardly upon the top toward such nozzle, of the adjustable boxshaped pommel of parallel form fitted within such flanged nozzle and curved upon the top in correspondence with the frame-plate so as to slide in a curved path beneath the same, the pommel having the bolt-slotf with the bolt f extended through the frame-plate and such slot, and securing the pommel adjustably within the nozzle, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a bicycle-saddle,the combination,with a frame-plate having pad-openings with lacing applied to such openings,of cushion-pads having covering except at the bottom, and secured to such plate over the openings, with the stuffing of the pads resting upon such lacing, substantially as herein set forth.

6. In a bicycle-saddle, the com bination,with the frame-plate A having the pad-openings a with lacing D applied to such openings, of the pads formed with pressed cover 0, metallic inlay E, stuffing of elastic material C supported upon the lacing D, and means for securing the pads upon the frame-plate over the openings,substantial1y as herein set forth.

7. Ina bicycle-saddle, the combination,with

a frame-plate having holes 0 for securing a pad, of the cushion-pads having each the cover C, stufling O, and an inlayE secured to such cover, and provided with the tongues 0 secured within the holes 0, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a bi cycle-saddle, the combination,with cushion-pads having each an inlay E with tongues c projected downwardly therefrom, of the frame-plate A having the pad-openings a, and the two sets of holes adjacent to the margin of such openings, the holes d having lacing forth.

9. In abicycle-saddle, the combination,with a frame-plate adapted to support the pad, of a pad having a shaped leather cover and a marginal inlay secured within the lower edge of such cover, and provided with tongues for securing it to the frame-plate, and with prongs for holding the stuffing in place within the pad until secured to the frame-plate, substantially as herein set forth.

10. In a bicycle-saddle, the combination, with the frame-plate having a downwardlyflanged nozzle open upon the front end, of a pommel fitted adjust-ably within such nozzle, the clamp-plate H fitted inside the pommel and provided with the recess h, the seat-spring having the loop 9 fitted to such recess, and the bolt f for clamping the spring and the pommel to the saddle, substantially as herein set forth.

11. In a bicycle-saddle,the post-clamp herein shown and described, and comprising the outer sheet-metal strap formed with the eyes j at the side, the mortise m at the center, and the hooks is projected toward the eyes; and the inner strap having the band 01 adapted to pass through the mortise and the eyes j at the sides, and the straps'having the hooks 7c projected toward one another; the whole combined with the nuts L and set-screw Z, and operated substantially as set forth.

12. In a bicycle-saddle, the post-clamp comprising the outer strap having the eyes j and central mortise m, and the inner strap having the eyes j and central portion projected through the mortise and provided with the nut L and set-screw Zas set forth, and the straps having hooks 7a, to clamp the springwires, arranged below the center of the eyes j, so as to sustain the seat-post above the wires, substantially as herein described.

13. In a bicycle-saddle, a post-clamp having our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM MEISSELBACH, JR. AUGUST F. MEISSELBACH.

Witnesses:

GEORGE FLATTMANN, THOMAS S. CRANE. 

